shaping
Shaping (noun) means the process of giving something form, direction, or structure. Example: “The shaping of the clay took hours of careful work.”
How to Use Shaping
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of forming something — physically, or (in psychology) a behavior — over time.
Word Forms
shapings plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the clay took hours of careful work.
Etymology
From Middle English schapynge, formed from shape plus the suffix -ing.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for shaping
See all rhymes for shaping →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “shaping” mean?
The word “shaping” means the process of giving something form, direction, or structure. In plain terms, the act of forming something — physically, or (in psychology) a behavior — over time.
How do you use “shaping” in a sentence?
Here is “shaping” used in a sentence: “The shaping of the clay took hours of careful work.”
What part of speech is “shaping”?
“Shaping” is a noun.
Where does the word “shaping” come from?
The word “shaping” comes from Middle English. From Middle English schapynge, formed from shape plus the suffix -ing.
Is “shaping” a common word?
“Shaping” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shaping” have?
“Shaping” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of giving something form, direction, or structure.
What is the difference between 'shaping' and 'forming'?
Both describe giving something structure, but 'shaping' more often emphasizes refining or adjusting an existing form or direction, while 'forming' can imply creating something from nothing. In practice the two overlap closely in everyday use.
What does 'shaping' mean in psychology?
In psychology, shaping is a method of gradually training a behavior by reinforcing small steps that move progressively closer to the desired final behavior, rather than expecting the full behavior at once.
How is 'shaping' used outside of physical objects?
Beyond physical objects, 'shaping' is used to describe giving direction or structure to abstract things, such as 'shaping public opinion' or 'shaping a career,' referring to influence over how something develops.